Skip to content
Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants
  • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Practice Test
    • U.S. Public Swimming Pool Codes👮
      • Florida’s CPO Certification Requirement for Public Pool Service Technicians
      • Georgia CPO Certification requirement
      • Louisiana CPO Certification Requirement
    • Test Kit Store
    • Pool Merchandise
  • Online Pool Pro Classes
  • AFT&C news🗞️
  • Talking Pools Podcast🎧
  • Keynote & Professional
    • Rudy’s AQUA Column
    • Swimming Pool EXPO Speaker
    • Expert Witness
    • Consulting Services
  • Rudy’s Algae Book
  • Contact Me
    • CPO Class FAQs
    • Message us!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Home
  • Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award
  • Inspiring Excellence in Aquatic Training with Rudy Stankowitz
  • 0
  • Toggle website search
Press Escape to close the search panel.
0 Menu Close
  • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Practice Test
    • U.S. Public Swimming Pool Codes👮
      • Florida’s CPO Certification Requirement for Public Pool Service Technicians
      • Georgia CPO Certification requirement
      • Louisiana CPO Certification Requirement
    • Test Kit Store
    • Pool Merchandise
  • Online Pool Pro Classes
  • AFT&C news🗞️
  • Talking Pools Podcast🎧
  • Keynote & Professional
    • Rudy’s AQUA Column
    • Swimming Pool EXPO Speaker
    • Expert Witness
    • Consulting Services
  • Rudy’s Algae Book
  • Contact Me
    • CPO Class FAQs
    • Message us!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Home
  • Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award
  • Inspiring Excellence in Aquatic Training with Rudy Stankowitz
  • 0
  • Toggle website search
Search this website

AFT&C news🗞️

  1. Home>
  2. AFT&C news🗞️>
  3. Page 15
Read more about the article Pool Tools the Pros Use

Pool Tools the Pros Use

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:February 19, 2019
  • Post category:Equipment/Product Review

Whether you are brand new to the service industry or just looking to maintain your existing pools, buying the equipment needed to keep a swimming pool in good condition can…

Continue ReadingPool Tools the Pros Use
Read more about the article University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kessing Pool

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Post author:Contributor
  • Post published:January 28, 2019
  • Post category:University Aquatics

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Aquatics and Community Programs If you recall, in December we spoke with University of Houston's Assistant Director of Aquatic Operations, Cara Green.This month, University of…

Continue ReadingUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Read more about the article Copper Stains in Swimming Pools

Copper Stains in Swimming Pools

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:January 13, 2019
  • Post category:Staining

   Blue, Green, Black, Gray, and Purple!  Photo credit: CDC, 1964, Puerto Rican public health weighing out a measure of copper sulfate. They would then apply this waterway to control…

Continue ReadingCopper Stains in Swimming Pools
Read more about the article The Pool Service Entrepreneur

The Pool Service Entrepreneur

  • Post author:Contributor
  • Post published:January 1, 2019
  • Post category:Pool Service Tips

The Pool Service Entrepreneur Several years ago I attended a social event in town where a young woman approached and introduced herself. After exchanging names she asked the familiar question:…

Continue ReadingThe Pool Service Entrepreneur
Read more about the article University of Houston Aquatics

University of Houston Aquatics

  • Post author:Contributor
  • Post published:December 23, 2018
  • Post category:University Aquatics

Managing a large aquatic facility at a university like the University of Houston Aquatics requires balancing the needs of multiple user groups while maintaining strict water quality, safety, and operational…

Continue ReadingUniversity of Houston Aquatics
Read more about the article Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools

Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:December 17, 2018
  • Post category:Chemical Safety

  Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools: The Role of Circulation and Safety Interlocks Chlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools can lead to serious health concerns and need…

Continue ReadingChlorine Gas Cloud Injuries at Public Pools
Read more about the article Raise Pool Service Prices

Raise Pool Service Prices

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:December 11, 2018
  • Post category:Marketing

Raise Pool Service Prices: A Practical Guide for Pool Service Professionals To successfully raise pool service prices, professionals should communicate transparently with their clients about the reasons for the changes.…

Continue ReadingRaise Pool Service Prices
Read more about the article Field Sampling of Swimming Pool “Black Algae”

Field Sampling of Swimming Pool “Black Algae”

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:December 3, 2018
  • Post category:Algae/Subscription Content

Wet mounts were prepared from the sample biomass and examined at 100× magnification using a Nikon Eclipse Ti-S inverted microscope equipped with phase-contrast optics and epifluorescence. Field Sampling of Swimming Pool “Black Algae”

Continue ReadingField Sampling of Swimming Pool “Black Algae”
Read more about the article Microcystin Analysis in Swimming Pool Cyanobacterial Biofilms

Microcystin Analysis in Swimming Pool Cyanobacterial Biofilms

  • Post author:Rudy
  • Post published:December 3, 2018
  • Post category:Algae/Subscription Content

Microcystin Analysis in Swimming Pool Cyanobacterial Biofilms

Continue ReadingMicrocystin Analysis in Swimming Pool Cyanobacterial Biofilms
Read more about the article Florida Southern College Aquatics

Florida Southern College Aquatics

  • Post author:Contributor
  • Post published:November 25, 2018
  • Post category:University Aquatics

We are fortunate at Florida Southern College Aquatics that the school sees the pool and swim team as a priority, and we are able to maintain our pump room and ensure we are up to code at all times.

Continue ReadingFlorida Southern College Aquatics
  • Go to the previous page
  • 1
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • Go to the next page
Read Rudy's Column in AQUA Magazine
Talking Pools Podcast
Talking Pools Podcast

If you’ve ever stared at a test kit like it personally insulted your family… welcome home.

Talking Pools Podcast is the pool industry’s “pull up a chair” show—part shop talk, part field manual, part therapy session—built for people who actually live on pool decks: commercial operators, service techs, builders, facility managers, and anyone responsible for water that can’t afford to go sideways. The network was created to level up the pool industry with real-world conversations on water chemistry, filtration, troubleshooting, construction, safety, and the business side of keeping pools open and budgets intact. 

Here’s the hook: it’s not theory-first. It’s experience-first—a roster of seasoned pros (with 250+ years of combined “been there, fixed that” wisdom) turning complicated problems into practical moves you can use the same day.  And it’s not one voice, one vibe, one corner of the industry: it’s a network of shows designed to reflect how diverse this work really is—different regions, different specialties, different personalities. 

Also worth saying out loud: women aren’t “special guests” here—they’re on the mic as hosts, from the beginning, with an intentionally balanced roster.  That matters, because the best ideas in this industry don’t come from one lane—they come from the whole road.

If you want a podcast that can make you laugh and make you better at what you do—without pretending the job is easier than it is—Talking Pools is the one you queue up before the first stop, and keep on when the day starts getting weird. 

Pool Water Testing with LaMotte Down Under
byRudy Stankowitz

Send us Fan Mail

Magnesium, Salt & the Truth About Water Testing with LaMotte – Part 1

Is your salt test really measuring salt?

What happens when magnesium enters the equation?

And why do two different salt tests sometimes give two completely different answers?

This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee and Nick welcome Hieron from LaMotte for a fascinating deep dive into modern water testing, magnesium pools, calcium hardness, Langelier Saturation Index (LSI), and why understanding your test results is just as important as performing the test itself. 

Whether you're servicing pools every day or managing a retail water testing lab, this episode explains why blindly trusting numbers without understanding the chemistry behind them can cost your customers money—and shorten the life of their equipment.

In This Episode

  •  Why total hardness is no longer the same as calcium hardness
  •  How magnesium changes water chemistry 
  •  Why magnesium hardness must be separated from calcium hardness 
  •  The relationship between hardness and the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI)
  •  Why pH remains the single biggest factor affecting water balance 
  •  Does magnesium actually affect scaling? 
  •  Understanding the difference between conductivity salt meters and reagent-based salt testing
  •  Why two salt tests can produce dramatically different readings 
  •  The hidden problem of ”dead” salt and elevated TDS 
  •  When water replacement becomes the only practical solution 
  •  Protecting expensive salt chlorinator cells through accurate testing 
  •  Why experienced technicians ask questions instead of simply printing reports 
  •  The psychology of educating customers and building long-term trust 
  •  A preview of LaMotte's upcoming professional training course for the pool industry 

Key Takeaways

One of the biggest myths discussed is that all salt readings are equal.

Traditional conductivity meters measure the electrical conductivity of dissolved solids, while LaMotte's Spin system chemically measures usable chloride ions—the portion of salt that can actually produce chlorine. Understanding that distinction can dramatically improve troubleshooting and help explain why older pools often experience chlorination issues despite appearing to have sufficient salt. 

The conversation also explores why magnesium pools require technicians to think differently about hardness testing. Magnesium contributes to total hardness but should not simply be substituted for calcium when calculating water balance or the LSI. Accurate testing allows professionals to properly determine true calcium hardness instead of relying on outdated rules of thumb. 

Beyond chemistry, the discussion focuses on customer communication. The best technicians don't simply hand customers a printout—they ask better questions, interpret the results, educate pool owners, and build relationships that last for years. 

Featured Guest

Hieron – LaMotte

  •  Water chemistry specialist 
  •  Professional water testing educator 
  •  Expert in Spin water analysis technology 
  •  Developer of LaMotte's upcoming online professional training program 

Coming Next Week

Part Two continues the conversation with even more practical discussions on professional water analysis, advanced chemistry, and improving customer outcomes through better testing and education. 

Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Tik Tok

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Pool Water Testing with LaMotte Down Under
Pool Water Testing with LaMotte Down Under
July 20, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Why Pool Coatings Peel
July 17, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
When a Pool Is a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen
July 16, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Open Water Swimming Myths Busted with Hilda Lopez
July 15, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Why Pool Pros Should Stop Ignoring Spas (and What Could Cost You Everything) with Adrian Lacey
July 13, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Si Solo Agregas Cloro, No Eres un Profesional
July 11, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Trump’s Reflecting Pool. Minnesota’s Supreme Court. The Pool Industry Just Got Interesting.
July 10, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Testing Water the Right Way, Hurricane Prep & Insurance Reality
July 9, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Chemistry Myths That Cost Pool Pros Money (Part 1) With Natalie Hood & Eric Wall
July 8, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Heat Pumps, Inverter Technology & Building a Smarter Equipment Pad with Madimack
July 6, 2026
Rudy Stankowitz
Search Results placeholder

Talking Pools Podcast Sponsors

Resources for the Pool Professional (below)

  • Algae
  • Apartment Pool Maintenance
  • Author Rudy Stankowitz
  • Borates
  • Builders
  • Chemical Safety
  • Chemicals
  • COVID-19
  • CPO Certification Class
  • Drain & Fill
  • Education
  • Employees
  • Equipment
  • Home Owner Pool Care
  • Horror Movie Reviews
  • Hotel Pool Maintenance
  • Lowering pH
  • Marketing
  • Misc.
  • Noticias de piscinas españolas
  • Outside the Pool
  • Pets & Pools
  • pH Adjustments
  • Pool Management
  • Pool News
  • Pool Operator Talk News
  • Pool Safety
  • Pool Service
  • Pool Service Tips
  • Pool Tools
  • Product Review
  • Retail
  • Risk Management
  • Science Fair Project
  • Shock
  • Sponsors
  • Staining
  • Subscription Content
  • Swimming Pool News
  • Swimming Pool Safety
  • Talking Pools Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • University Aquatics
  • Water Chemistry
  • Water Quality
  • Waterborne Illnesses
  • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Class Schedule
    • CPO Practice Test
    • U.S. Public Swimming Pool Codes👮
      • Florida’s CPO Certification Requirement for Public Pool Service Technicians
      • Georgia CPO Certification requirement
      • Louisiana CPO Certification Requirement
    • Test Kit Store
    • Pool Merchandise
  • Online Pool Pro Classes
  • AFT&C news🗞️
  • Talking Pools Podcast🎧
  • Keynote & Professional
    • Rudy’s AQUA Column
    • Swimming Pool EXPO Speaker
    • Expert Witness
    • Consulting Services
  • Rudy’s Algae Book
  • Contact Me
    • CPO Class FAQs
    • Message us!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Home
  • Talking Pools Podcast Mentor Award
  • Inspiring Excellence in Aquatic Training with Rudy Stankowitz
Copyright - WordPress Theme by OceanWP
error

Help support a Veteran Owned Small Business by sharing this page

  • RSS
  • Follow Us
  • Facebook
    fb-share-icon
  • Twitter
    Post on X
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
    fb-share-icon
  • Linkedin
    Share
  • Instagram
×
×

Cart

Verified by MonsterInsights

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy